Multi-mode power management unit with shared inductor

ABSTRACT

According to one exemplary embodiment, a multi-mode power management unit (PMU) includes a number of switchable conductive paths, where each of the switchable conductive paths corresponds to at least one of a number of power modes. The multi-mode PMU further includes a shared inductor residing in each of the switchable conductive paths. A current can flow through the shared inductor in a same direction in each of the power modes. The multi-mode PMU further includes a controller configured to set one of the power modes using one of the switchable conductive paths. The power modes can include a battery-to-electronic system power mode and a charge-battery power mode. The power modes can further include a battery-to-electronic system/camera flash power mode, a power port-to-electronic system/battery power mode, and a battery-to-electronic system/backlight LED power mode.

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to a pendingprovisional patent application entitled “Multi-Function Power ConverterUsing One Inductor,” Ser. No. 60/926,634 filed on Apr. 27, 2007. Thedisclosure in that pending provisional application is herebyincorporated fully by reference into the present application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to the field of electricalcircuits and systems. More particularly, the invention relates tocircuits and systems for power management.

2. Background Art

Electronic devices, such as cellular phones, MP3 players, portabledigital assistants (PDAs), and other mobile electronic devices,typically include a power management unit (PMU) for integrating variouspower-related functions, such as battery charging from a computer USBport or an AC power adaptor or supplying power to a USB On-The-Go (OTG)device, such as a USB hard drive, backlight LEDs, or a camera flash. Inaddition to the above functions, a typical PMU in an electronic device,such as a cellular phone, MP3 player, or PDA, also provides the device'ssystem power, which may originate from, for example, the device'sinternal battery, a USB port on a computer, or an AC power adaptor.

To provide the above power-related functions in an electronic device,such as a mobile electronic device, a conventional PMU typicallyincludes a separate circuit for each function. For example, theconventional PMU can include a buck-boost circuit for converting abattery voltage to a required system voltage. The conventional PMU canfurther include battery charger circuits for charging the electronicdevice's battery from an external power source, such as an AC poweradaptor, USB port on a computer, or USB OTG device. The conventional PMUcan further include circuits for providing power to backlight LEDs,which can illuminate a liquid crystal display (LCD), and a camera flashLED. In the conventional PMU, the aforementioned circuits typicallyinclude a number of distinct and separate inductors and one or morecontrollers. As a result, the conventional PMU can consume anundesirable amount of limited space in an electronic device, such as amobile electronic device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A multi-mode power management unit with shared inductor substantially asshown in and/or described in connection with at least one of thefigures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a circuit diagram of an exemplary multi-mode PMU(power management unit) coupled to a battery in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a battery-to-electronic system power mode of theexemplary multi-mode PMU in FIG. 1 in a buck configuration in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a battery-to-electronic system power mode of theexemplary multi-mode PMU in FIG. 1 in a boost configuration inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a charge-battery power mode of the exemplarymulti-mode PMU in FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a battery-to-electronic system/camera flash powermode of the exemplary multi-mode PMU in FIG. 1 in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a power port-to-electronic system/battery power modeof the exemplary multi-mode PMU in FIG. 1 in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a battery-to-electronic system/backlight LED powermode of the exemplary multi-mode PMU in FIG. 1 in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of an exemplary electronic system including anexemplary chip or die utilizing a multi-mode PMU in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a multi-mode power management unitwith shared inductor. The following description contains specificinformation pertaining to the implementation of the present invention.One skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may beimplemented in a manner different from that specifically discussed inthe present application. Moreover, some of the specific details of theinvention are not discussed in order not to obscure the invention.

The drawings in the present application and their accompanying detaileddescription are directed to merely exemplary embodiments of theinvention. To maintain brevity, other embodiments of the presentinvention are not specifically described in the present application andare not specifically illustrated by the present drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a circuit diagram of multi-mode PMU (power management unit)102 coupled to battery 104 in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. Multi-mode PMU 102 includes controller 106, sharedinductor 108, current sense resistor 110, current sensors 112, 114, and116, backlight LEDs 118, LED driver 120, camera flash 122, andtransistors M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8, and M9 (hereinafter“transistors M1 through M9”). Transistors M1 through M9 can eachcomprise a switching transistor, such as a switching field effecttransistor (FET). To prevent undesired current flow through the bodydiodes of M1, M2, M4, M5, M7, M8, and M9, two back-to-back transistorsmay be used (not shown). For simplicity, only one transistor is shown.Multi-mode PMU 102 can reside in an electronic device, such as a mobileelectronic device, which can include, for example, a cell phone, an MP3player, or a PDA. Multi-mode PMU 102 can be fabricated on a singlesemiconductor die and can operate in a number of power modes, which canbe set by controller 106. Each of the power modes of multi-mode PMU 102can utilize at least one of a number of switchable conductive paths,which are further discussed below in relation to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,and 7.

As shown in FIG. 1, the negative terminal of battery 104 is coupled toground 124 and the positive terminal of battery 104 is coupled to node126, which provides a battery input port of multi-mode PMU 102. Battery104 can be a 2.5 volt battery, a 4.2 volt battery, or other suitablevoltage battery. Also shown in FIG. 1, transistor M1 is coupled betweennodes 126 and 130, current sensor 112 is coupled to the line betweennode 126 and transistor M1, and the output of current sensor 112(indicated by CS1) is coupled to a current sensor input of controller106. Current sensor 112 can be utilized to monitor the current flowingthrough transistor M1 without consuming a significant amount of current.For example, current sensor 112 can be utilized to measure the “Rdsonresistance” of transistor M1 by using a current mirror so as todetermine the current flowing through transistor M1. The “Rdsonresistance” refers to the source-to-drain resistance of a transistorwhen it is turned on.

Further shown in FIG. 1, transistor M3 is coupled between node 130 andground 124, shared inductor 108 is coupled between nodes 130 and 132,and transistor M6 is coupled between node 132 and ground 124. Sharedinductor 108 is utilized in all of the power modes of multi-mode PMU102. The current flowing through inductor 108 flows in the samedirection (indicated by arrow 134) in all of the power modes ofmulti-mode PMU 102, thereby allowing multi-mode PMU 102 to operated athigh frequency with low noise. Also shown in FIG. 1, transistor M7 iscoupled between node 132 and node 126, current sensor 114 is coupled tothe line between node 126 and transistor M7, and the output of currentsensor 114 (indicated by CS2) is coupled to a current sensor input ofcontroller 106. Current sensor 114 can be utilized to monitor thecurrent flowing through transistor M7 without consuming a significantamount of current. For example, current sensor 114 can be utilized so asto measure the Rdson resistance of transistor M7 by using a currentmirror to determine the current flowing through transistor M7.

Further shown in FIG. 1, transistor M9 is coupled between node 132 andnode 136, which also provides electronic system power output 138 (alsoreferred to simply as “system power output 138”). System power output138 can provide power to an electronic system in an electronic device(not shown in FIG. 1), such as a cell phone, MP3 player, PDA, or othermobile electronic device. Also shown in FIG. 1, transistor M2 is coupledbetween input power port 140 and node 130, transistor M4 is coupledbetween nodes 130 and 142, and current sense resistor 110 is coupledbetween nodes 142 and 144, which are coupled to inputs of controller 106via respective lines 146 and 148. Input power port 140 can be coupled toan external power source (not shown in FIG. 1), such as AC power adaptoror a USB port on a computer. Current sense resistor 110 can be utilizedto sense the current flowing through transistor M4 by measuring thevoltage drop across current sense resistor 110 via lines 146 and 148.Line 148 also provides feedback from I/O power port 150 to controller106.

I/O power port 150 can be coupled to a USB port on a computer or otherexternal power source. I/O power port 150 can also be coupled to anelectronic device, such as a USB OTG (On The Go) device, including a USBhard drive or flash memory device. In an embodiment in which multi-modePMU 102 resides in a cell phone, I/O power port 150 may be coupled toanother cell phone, for example. Further shown in FIG. 1, transistor M5is coupled between node 132 and node 144 and backlight LEDs 118 arecoupled between node 144 and LED driver 120. Backlight LEDs 118 provideback lighting for a display, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD),which can reside in a mobile electronic device, such as a cell phone,MP3 player, or PDA. If an electronic device, such as a USB OTG device,is coupled to I/O power port 150 and backlight LEDs 118 are utilized,the voltage at node 144 can be regulated at approximately 5.0 volts andthe current flowing through backlight LEDs 118 can be regulated by LEDdriver 120. If an electronic device is not coupled to I/O power port 150and backlight LEDs 118 are utilized, the current flowing throughbacklight LEDs 118 still requires regulation by LED driver 120, but thevoltage at node 144 can be an unregulated voltage as low as 3.5 volts.

Also shown in FIG. 1, transistor M8 is coupled between node 132 andcamera flash 122 and camera flash 122 is coupled between transistor M8and ground 124. In the present embodiment, camera flash 122 can comprisean LED. In another embodiment, camera flash 122 can comprise a flashdevice other than an LED. Further shown in FIG. 1, current sensor 116 iscoupled to the line between transistor M8 and camera flash 122, and theoutput of current sensor 116 (indicated by CS3) is coupled to a currentsensor input of controller 106. Current sensor 116 can be utilized tomonitor the flash current drawn by camera flash 122 by monitoring thecurrent flowing through transistor M8 and it (i.e. current sensor 116)without consuming a insignificant amount of current. For example,current sensor 116 can be utilized to measure the Rdson resistance oftransistor M8 by using a current mirror so as to determine the currentflowing through transistor M8.

Also shown in FIG. 1, controller 106 provides control signals to thegates of transistors M1 through M9 via respective lines of bus 152.Further shown in FIG. 1, the outputs of current sensors 112, 114, and116 are provided to separate current sensor inputs of controller 106 viarespective lines of bus 154, node 126 is coupled to a battery feedbackinput of controller 106 via line 156, and node 136 is coupled to asystem feedback input of controller 106 via line 158. Controller 106 canbe configured to set each of the power modes of multi-mode PMU 102 bycontrolling the switching of transistors M1 through M9 via the controlsignals provided to the respective gates of the transistors. Theoperation of multi-mode PMU 102 in different power modes is discussedbelow in relation to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

FIG. 2 shows a portion of multi-mode PMU 102 in FIG. 1 utilized in abattery-to-electronic system power mode using a buck configuration inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, theportion of multi-mode PMU 102 in FIG. 1 that is utilized in thebattery-to-electronic system power mode (simply referred to as “thepower mode in FIG. 2”) is indicated by bold lines. In the power mode inFIG. 2, a switchable conductive path is provided that extends frombattery 104 through transistor M1, shared inductor 108, and transistorM9 to system power output 138, which can provide output power to, forexample, an electronic system in an electronic device, such as a cellphone. In the power mode in FIG. 2, battery 104 can have a highervoltage than a required system voltage at system power output 138. Forexample, battery 104 can have a voltage of approximately 4.2 volts andthe required system voltage can be approximately 3.3 volts. As a result,the power mode in FIG. 2 uses a buck configuration to reduce the voltageof battery 104 to the required system voltage at node 136.

In multi-mode PMU 102, controller 106 can be configured to set the powermode in FIG. 2 using a buck configuration by turning transistor M9 onand appropriately switching of transistors M1 and M3 on and off toconvert the voltage of batter 104 to a lower required system voltage atsystem power output 138. During the power mode in FIG. 2, current flowcan flow through shared inductor 108, which resides in the switchableconductive path provided between battery 104 and system power output 138and transistors M2, M4, M5, M6, M7, and M8 can be turned off bycontroller 106.

FIG. 3 shows a portion of multi-mode PMU 102 in FIG. 1 utilized in abattery-to-electronic system power mode using a boost configuration inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, theportion of multi-mode PMU 102 in FIG. 1 that is utilized in thebattery-to-electronic system power mode (simply referred to as “thepower mode in FIG. 3”) is indicated by bold lines. In the power mode inFIG. 3, a switchable conductive path can be provided that extends frombattery 104 through transistor M1, shared inductor 108, and transistorM9 to system power output 138, which can provide output power to, forexample, an electronic system of an electronic device, such as a cellphone. In contrast to the power mode in FIG. 2, in the power mode inFIG. 3, battery 104 has a lower voltage than a required system voltageat system power output 138. For example, battery 104 can have a voltageof approximately 2.5 volts and the required system voltage can beapproximately 3.3 volts. As a result, the power mode in FIG. 3 uses aboost configuration to increase the voltage of battery 104 to therequired system voltage at node 136.

In multi-mode PMU 102, controller 106 can be configured to set the powermode in FIG. 3 using a boost configuration by turning transistor M1 onand appropriately switching transistors M6 and M9 on and off to convertthe voltage of batter 104 to a higher required system voltage at systempower output 138. During the power mode in FIG. 3, current can flowthrough shared inductor 108, which resides in the switchable conductivepath provided between battery 104 and system power output 138, andtransistors M2, M3, M4, M5, M7, and M8 can be turned off by controller106.

FIG. 4 shows a portion of multi-mode PMU 102 in FIG. 1 utilized in acharge-battery power mode in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. In FIG. 4, the portion of multi-mode PMU 102 in FIG.1 that is utilized in the charge-battery power mode (simply referred toas “the power mode in FIG. 4”) is indicated by bold lines. In the powermode in FIG. 4, battery 104 can be charged by an external power source(not shown in FIG. 4), such as an AC power adapter or a USB port on acomputer, which is coupled to input power port 140. In the power mode inFIG. 4, a switchable conductive path is provided that extends from inputpower port 140 through transistor M2, shared inductor 108, andtransistor M7 to battery 104 to enable battery 104 to be charged by anexternal power source coupled to input power port 140.

In multi-mode PMU 102, controller 106 can be configured to set the powermode in FIG. 4 by turning transistor M7 on and appropriately switchingtransistors M2 and M3 on and off to charge battery 104 from the externalpower source coupled to input power port 140. During the power mode inFIG. 4, current flow can flow through shared inductor 108, which residesin the switchable conductive path provided between input power port 140and battery 104, and transistors M1, M4, M5, M6, M8, and M9 can beturned off by controller 106. Thus, since transistor M9 is turned off inthe charge-battery power mode in FIG. 4, power is not provided at systempower output 138.

FIG. 5 shows a portion of multi-mode PMU 102 in FIG. 1 utilized in abattery-to-electronic system/camera flash power mode in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the portion ofmulti-mode PMU 102 in FIG. 1 that is utilized in thebattery-to-electronic system/camera flash power mode (simply referred toas “the power mode in FIG. 5”) is indicated by bold lines. The powermode in FIG. 5 utilizes a first cycle to provide power from battery 104to system power output 138 and a second cycle to provide power frombattery 104 to camera flash 122. In the power mode in FIG. 5, battery104 can have a higher voltage than a required system voltage at systempower output 138. For example, battery 104 can have a voltage between3.3 volts and 3.6 volts and the required system voltage can beapproximately 3.3 volts.

In multi-mode PMU 102, controller 106 can be configured to set the firstcycle of the power mode in FIG. 5 using a buck configuration, whereincontroller 106 appropriately switches transistors M1 and M3 on and offwhile turning transistor M9 on, thereby converting a voltage of battery104 to a lower required system voltage at system power output 138. Inthe first cycle of the power mode in FIG. 5, controller 106 uses aswitchable conductive path extending from battery 104 through transistorM1, shared inductor 108, and transistor M9 to system power output 138.The system voltage can be regulated in the first cycle by appropriatelymodulating the turn on time of transistors M1 and M3 while transistor M9is turned on. In the first cycle of the power mode in FIG. 5,transistors M2, M4, M5, M6, M7, and M8 can be turned off by controller106.

Controller 106 can be further configured to set the second cycle of thepower mode in FIG. 5 using a boost configuration, wherein controller 106appropriately switches transistors M6 and M8 on while turning transistorM1 on, thereby converting a voltage of battery 104 to a higher voltagerequired by camera flash 122. In the second cycle of the power mode inFIG. 5, controller 106 uses a switchable conductive path extending frombattery 104 through transistor M1, shared inductor 108, and transistorM8 to camera flash 122. The average flash current can be monitored bycurrent sensor 116 and regulated by, for example, modulating the turn ontime of transistors M6 and M8 with transistor M1 switched on.

FIG. 6 shows a portion of multi-mode PMU 102 in FIG. 1 utilized in apower port-to-electronic system/battery power mode in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. The portion of multi-mode PMU102 in FIG. 1 that is utilized in the a power port-to-electronicsystem/battery power mode in FIG. 6 (hereinafter “the power mode in FIG.6”) is indicated by bold lines. The power mode in FIG. 6 utilizes afirst cycle to provide power from an external power source (not shown inFIG. 6), such as a computer USB port or a USB OTG device, coupled to I/Opower port 150 to an electronic system coupled to system power output138 and a second cycle to charge battery 104 from the external powersource. In the power mode in FIG. 6, the electronic system at systempower output 138 can require, for example, a voltage of approximately3.3 volts and the external power source can provide a voltage of, forexample, between 4.5 volts and 5.5 volts at I/O power port 150.

In multi-mode PMU 102, controller 106 can be configured to set the firstcycle of the power mode in FIG. 6 using a buck configuration in asimilar manner as discussed above in the first cycle of the power modein FIG. 5. Controller 106 can be further configured to set the secondcycle of the power mode in FIG. 6, wherein controller 106 appropriatelyswitches transistors M3 and M4 on and off while turning on transistorM7. In the second cycle of the power mode in FIG. 6, controller 106 usesa switchable conductive path extending from I/O power port 150 throughcurrent sense resistor 110, transistor M4, shared inductor 110 andtransistor M7 to battery 104. In the second cycle of the power mode inFIG. 6, current sense resistor 110 can be utilized to sense the currentflowing out of I/O power port 150 to ensure that the current does notexceed a maximum specified current rating of the external power source,such as a USB computer port, coupled to I/O power port 150. The chargingcurrent drawn by battery 104 in the second cycle of the power mode inFIG. 6 can be monitored by current sensor 114.

FIG. 7 shows a portion of multi-mode PMU 102 in FIG. 1 utilized in abattery-to-electronic system/backlight LED power mode in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the portion ofmulti-mode PMU 102 in FIG. 1 that is utilized in thebattery-to-electronic system/backlight LED power mode (simply referredto as “the power mode in FIG. 7”) is indicated by bold lines. The powermode in FIG. 7 utilizes a first cycle to provide power from battery 104to system power output 138, which can provide power to an electronicsystem, and a second cycle to provide power from battery 104 tobacklight LEDs 118 and/or an electronic device, such as a USB OTG deviceor other USB device, coupled to I/O power port 150. In the power mode inFIG. 7, an electronic system coupled to system power output 138 canrequire a system voltage that is less than the voltage of battery 104and backlight LEDs 118 can require a voltage that is greater than thebattery voltage. For example, the electronic system can require avoltage of approximately 3.3 volts and battery 104 can have a voltagethat is greater than 3.3 volts.

If an electronic device such as a USB OTG device is coupled to I/O powerport 150, a regulated voltage of approximately 5.0 volts is required atnode 144 to power the electronic device. The regulated voltage ofapproximately 5.0 volts can also be utilized to provide power tobacklight LEDs 118 when, for example, a USB OTG device is coupled to I/Opower port 150. If an electronic device, such as a USB OTG device orother type of USB device, is not coupled to I/O power port 150,backlight LEDs 118 can receive an unregulated voltage that is less than5.0 volts, such as an unregulated voltage of 4.0 volts or less. Whenbacklight LEDs 118 are powered by, for example, battery 104, the currentflowing through backlight LEDs 118 can be controlled by LED driver 120.

In multi-mode PMU 102, controller 106 can be configured to set the firstcycle of the power mode in FIG. 7 using a buck configuration in asimilar manner as discussed above in the first cycle of the power modein FIG. 5. using a buck configuration, wherein controller 106appropriately switches transistors M1 and M3 on and off while turningtransistor M9 on, thereby converting a voltage of battery 104 to a lowerrequired system voltage at system power output 138. In the first cycleof the power mode in FIG. 7, controller 106 uses a switchable conductivepath extending from battery 104 through transistor M1, shared inductor108, and transistor M9 to system power output 138. The system voltagecan be regulated in the first cycle by appropriately modulating the turnon time of transistors M1 and M3 while transistor M9 is turned on. Inthe first cycle of the power mode in FIG. 7, transistors M2, M4, M5, M6,M7, and M8 can be turned off by controller 106.

Controller 106 can be further configured to set the second cycle of thepower mode in FIG. 7 using a boost configuration, wherein controller 106appropriately switches transistors M5 and M6 on and off while turningtransistor M1 on, thereby converting a voltage of battery 104 to ahigher voltage required at node 144 to power backlight LEDs 118 and/oran electronic device, such as a USB OTG device, coupled to I/O powerport 150. In the second cycle of the power mode in FIG. 7, controller106 uses a switchable conductive path extending from battery 104 throughtransistor M1, shared inductor 108, and transistor M5 to node 144, whichis coupled to I/O power port 150 and backlight LEDs 118. The voltage atI/O power port 150 can be regulated by appropriately modulating the turnon time of transistors M5 and M6 with transistor M1 turned on. In thesecond cycle of the power mode in FIG. 7, transistors M2, M3, M4, M7,M8, and M9 can be are turned off by controller 106.

FIG. 8 illustrates a diagram of an exemplary electronic system includingan exemplary chip or die utilizing a multi-mode PMU in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. Electronic system 800 includesexemplary modules 802, 804, and 806, IC chip or semiconductor die 808,discrete components 810 and 812, residing in and interconnected throughcircuit board 814. In one embodiment, electronic system 800 may includemore than one PCB. IC chip 808 includes circuit 816, which can comprisea multi-mode PMU, such as multi-mode PMU 102, including a sharedinductor, such as shared inductor 108, as described above.

As shown in FIG. 8, modules 802, 804, and 806 are mounted on circuitboard 814 and can each be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU),a graphics controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC), a video processing module, an audioprocessing module, an RF receiver, an RF transmitter, an image sensormodule, a power control module, an electromechanical motor controlmodule, or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other kind ofmodule utilized in modern electronic circuit boards. Circuit board 814can include a number of interconnect traces (not shown in FIG. 8) forinterconnecting modules 802, 804, and 806, discrete components 810 and812, and IC chip 808.

Also shown in FIG. 8, IC chip 808 is mounted on circuit board 814 andcan be, for example, any chip utilizing an embodiment of the invention'smulti-mode PMU. In one embodiment, IC chip 808 may not be mounted oncircuit board 814, and may be interconnected with other modules ondifferent circuit boards. As stated above, circuit 816 is situated in ICchip 808 and comprises an embodiment of the invention's multi-mode PMU.Further shown in FIG. 8, discrete components 810 and 812 are mounted oncircuit board 814 and can each be, for example, a discrete filter, suchas one including a BAW or SAW filter or the like, a power amplifier oran operational amplifier, a semiconductor device, such as a transistoror a diode or the like, an antenna element, an inductor, a capacitor, ora resistor.

Electronic system 800 can be utilized in, for example, a wired orwireless communications device, a cell phone, a switching device, arouter, a repeater, a codec, a wired or wireless LAN, a WLAN, aBluetooth enabled device, a digital camera, a digital audio playerand/or recorder, a digital video player and/or recorder, a GlobalPositioning System (GPS) device, a computer, a monitor, a televisionset, a satellite set top box, a cable modem, a printer, a copier, an RFtransceiver, a PDA, a digital game playing device, or in any other kindof system, device, component or module utilized in modern electronicsapplications.

Thus, as discussed above, the present invention provides a multi-modePMU having a number of power modes, where each power modes utilizes atleast one of a number of switchable conductive paths. The invention'smulti-mode PMU includes a shared inductor, which resides in each of theswitchable conductive paths. By utilizing a shared inductor, theinvention's multi-mode PMU can eliminate a number of separate anddistinct inductors that would be required by a conventional PMU toprovide multiple power modes. As a result, the invention advantageouslyachieves a multi-mode PMU that consumes less space in an electronicdevice, such as a cell phone or other mobile electronic device.Additionally, since electrical current flows through the shared inductorin the same direction in each of the power modes, the invention'smulti-mode PMU can advantageously operate at high frequency with lownoise.

From the above description of the invention it is manifest that varioustechniques can be used for implementing the concepts of the presentinvention without departing from its scope. Moreover, while theinvention has been described with specific reference to certainembodiments, a person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate thatchanges can be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand the scope of the invention. Thus, the described embodiments are tobe considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Itshould also be understood that the invention is not limited to theparticular embodiments described herein but is capable of manyrearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing fromthe scope of the invention.

Thus, a multi-mode power management unit with shared inductor has beendescribed.

1. A multi-mode power management unit (PMU) comprising: a plurality ofswitchable conductive paths, each of said plurality of switchableconductive paths corresponding to at least one of a plurality of powermodes; a shared inductor residing in each of said plurality ofswitchable conductive paths; a controller configured to set one of saidplurality of power modes using one of said plurality of switchableconductive paths; said plurality of power modes including abattery-to-electronic system power mode and a charge-battery power mode.2. The multi-mode PMU of claim 1, wherein said plurality of power modesfurther includes a battery-to-electronic system/camera flash power mode.3. The multi-mode PMU of claim 1, wherein said plurality of power modesfurther includes a power port-to-electronic system/battery power mode.4. The multi-mode PMU of claim 1, wherein said plurality of power modesfurther includes a battery-to-electronic system/backlight LED powermode.
 5. The multi-mode PMU of claim 4, wherein saidbattery-to-electronic system/backlight LED power mode includes poweringan electronic system from a battery in a first cycle and poweringbacklight LEDs from said battery in a second cycle.
 6. The multi-modePMU of claim 4, wherein said battery-to-electronic system/backlight LEDpower mode includes powering an electronic system from a battery in afirst cycle and powering backlight LEDs and a USB OTG device from saidbattery in a second cycle.
 7. The multi-mode PMU of claim 1, whereinsaid battery-to-electronic system power mode utilizes a buckconfiguration to convert a higher battery voltage to a lower electronicsystem voltage.
 8. The multi-mode PMU of claim 1, wherein saidbattery-to-electronic system power mode utilizes a boost configurationto convert a lower battery voltage to a higher electronic systemvoltage.
 9. The multi-mode PMU of claim 1, wherein a current flowsthrough said shared inductor in a same direction in each of saidplurality of power modes.
 10. The multi-mode PMU of claim 3, whereinsaid power port-to-electronic system/battery power mode includespowering an electronic system from a power port in a first cycle andcharging a battery in a second cycle.
 11. A semiconductor die comprisinga multi-mode PMU, said multi-mode PMU comprising: a plurality ofswitchable conductive paths, each of said plurality of switchableconductive paths corresponding to at least one of a plurality of powermodes; a shared inductor residing in each of said plurality ofswitchable conductive paths; a controller configured to set one of saidplurality of power modes using one of said plurality of switchableconductive paths.
 12. The semiconductor die of claim 11, wherein saidplurality of power modes includes a battery-to-electronic system powermode and a charge-battery power mode.
 13. The semiconductor die of claim11, wherein said plurality of power modes includes abattery-to-electronic system/camera flash power mode.
 14. Thesemiconductor die of claim 11, wherein said plurality of power modesincludes a power port-to-electronic system/battery power mode.
 15. Thesemiconductor die of claim 11, wherein said plurality of power modesincludes a battery-to-electronic system/backlight LED power mode. 16.The semiconductor die of claim 15, wherein said battery-to-electronicsystem/backlight LED power mode includes powering an electronic systemfrom a battery in a first cycle and powering backlight LEDs from saidbattery in a second cycle.
 17. The semiconductor die of claim 15,wherein said battery-to-electronic system/backlight LED power modeincludes powering an electronic system from a battery in a first cycleand powering backlight LEDs and a USB OTG device from said battery in asecond cycle.
 18. The semiconductor die of claim 12, wherein saidbattery-to-electronic system power mode utilizes a buck configuration toconvert a higher battery voltage to a lower electronic system voltage.19. The semiconductor die of claim 12, wherein saidbattery-to-electronic system power mode utilizes a boost configurationto convert a lower battery voltage to a higher electronic systemvoltage.
 20. The semiconductor die of claim 11, wherein saidsemiconductor die is utilized in a circuit board as a part of anelectronic system, said electronic system being selected from the groupconsisting of a wired or wireless communications device, a cell phone, aswitching device, a router, a repeater, a codec, a wired or wirelessLAN, a WLAN, a Bluetooth enabled device, a digital camera, a digitalaudio player and/or recorder, a digital video player and/or recorder, aGlobal Positioning System (GPS) device, a computer, a monitor, atelevision set, a satellite set top box, a cable modem, a printer, acopier, an RF transceiver, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and adigital game playing device.